'Hairspray' Bouncy, Silly, Fun, With A Touch Of The Twisted

The show: "Hairspray" by Connecticut Repertory Theatre at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre at UConn in Storrs.

First impressions: I've been going to some heady, heavy-themed shows lately so a trip to UConn to see "Hairspray" is just the ticket to lift my spirits. It also lets me admire once again the craftsmanship of Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan's book and the wonderfully poppy music of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

The three Equity actors playing Edna Turnblad (Kevin Meaney), Motormouth Maybelle (Tina Fabrique) and Tracy Turnblad (Lena Mary Amato) professionally anchor the show. Most of the other teen characters made up of grad and undergrads. Though the student voices were not so good, their acting and enthusiasm make you give them all a pass — in the spirit of John Waters' philosophy that a joyous, generous heart is all you need in life. Or at least in the movies and musical theater.

My, you're in a kind mood: I know, I know. But there's something about this giddy, buoyant musical that is hard to resist. I would have a different reaction if the three Equity actors weren't so terrific or the students didn't land their jokes, fulfill the acting duties and dance like it was one big party — which isn't a bad way to describe the show and the production.

Refresh my mind. What's it about?: Based on Waters' 1988 warm-hearted yet subversive film, the story, set in Baltimore in 1962, follows a self-assured, large-sized teen, Tracy Turnblad, as she attempts to be one of the dancing kids on "Corny Collins" show, an "American Bandstand" knockoff. . In her efforts to get on television she becomes a cheerleader/rebel in integrating the show.

It's a slightly surreal, loopy and cartoony world: Tracy's mom is a large, nervous hausfrau who is also transformed by Tracy's unrelenting optimism and a visit to a specialty shop for the stylishly hefty. Tracy's dad, delightfully played by Scott Ripley, is a loving loon who runs a joke shop and has delusions of a grander whoopee cushion.

Tracy has a crush for handsome heartthrob Link Larkin (Will Haden) but evil teen queen Amber von Tussle (Andrianna Prast) and her shady mom Velma (Sarah Wintermeyer) stand in her way to love and winning the dance contest.

And dancing is what Tracy loves most of all (her bouffant comes in a close second). She hangs out with the African-American kids, too, and wants them to be part of the semi-segregated show. She wants to live in a world where everyone can boogie together.

So the dancing?: Try to resist the urge to join the chorus. Gerry McIntyre choreographs with energetic gusto and an affection for '60s moves. Paul Mullins gets the beat lively, the spirits high and the humor non-stop. Joe Keener III supplies the pop-infused sets.

And Meaney, Fabrique and Amato are all deliciously good. Meaney shows a tough vulnerability as Edna (and his song "You're Timeless to Me" with Ripley is musical comedy heaven). Fabrique, who starred as Ella Fitzgerald in "Ella" for years in theaters across the country, shows off a playful side, not to mention a lower register, as Motormouth. And though she is reprising the role of Tracy for the fifth time, Amato is as fresh and lovable as if she was doing it for the first time. The show has that kind of re-invigorating spell.

Who will like it? Most folks who have a pulse and a kind heart to forgive some singing lapses.

For the kids?: Definitely.

Twitter review in 140 characters or less: A show so heady you think you're on an aerosol high.

Thoughts on leaving the parking lot?: Like "Bye Bye Birdie" and "Grease," "Hairspray" is a musical that can be embraced by those who lived in the time of the story, the time of the original film or when the musical burst onto Broadway in 2002. It's the perfect show for high schools and colleges and for those just needing a lift.

The basics: The show plays through May 5 at the Harriet Jorgensen Theatre, 802 Bolton Road, on the UConn campus in Storrs. Running time is 2 hours and 20 minutes, including an intermission. Tickets are $6 to $36. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday, May 1 and 2, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. Information at 860-486-2113 and http://www.crt.uconn.edu.

Read Frank's blog on theater, the arts and entertainment at http://www.courant.com/curtain. And be the first to know by following Frank on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/ShowRiz